Kuerten saved two match points but then hit a forehand long when retrieving a pass down the line.

"I wish I could play longer, but Ivan was playing really well," said Kuerten, who retires at the end of the season. "Now I can go home and rest and think back on my matches. It's nice to remember everything that happened in the past."

Ljubicic praised Kuerten's contribution to tennis.

"Most players play to win, but he did it for the love," said Ljubicic, who is 2-5 against Kuerten. "The passion he put into the sport was unbelievable."